Understand and apply the foundational principles of finance to most business problems and strategies. This integrated set of courses focuses on both the theory and practice of financial decision-making through an applied lens. Ideal for learners seeking to advance their career and/or pursue a business degree, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, a great understanding of foundational concepts in finance will help you to understand the principles of personal finance and investing. After successful completion of the four-course program, you will be equipped to make thoughtful decisions based on a framework built using multiple advances in modern financial theory.
About this Specialization
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What you will learn
Understand the sources of value of companies
Evaluate the cash flows of a project
Evaluate the risk of a project
Value a project and a strategy
Skills you will gain
Estimation of RiskFinancial AnalysisUnderstanding Financial LanguageSpreadsheet AnalysisCalculating Cost of Capital
How the Specialization Works
Take Courses
A Coursera Specialization is a series of courses that helps you master a skill. To begin, enroll in the Specialization directly, or review its courses and choose the one you'd like to start with. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. It’s okay to complete just one course — you can pause your learning or end your subscription at any time. Visit your learner dashboard to track your course enrollments and your progress.
Hands-on Project
Every Specialization includes a hands-on project. You'll need to successfully finish the project(s) to complete the Specialization and earn your certificate. If the Specialization includes a separate course for the hands-on project, you'll need to finish each of the other courses before you can start it.
Earn a Certificate
When you finish every course and complete the hands-on project, you'll earn a Certificate that you can share with prospective employers and your professional network.
There are 4 Courses in this Specialization
Course1
Time Value of Money
4.9
105 ratings
This course is an introduction to time value of money (TVM) and decision-making to help you understand the basics of finance. This course is part of a specialization titled “Foundational Finance for Strategic Decision-Making” and is helpful if you are interested in applying to an MBA degree program or learning the foundations of finance to be more effective in your career. This course is applied and problem-based with assignments that are intentionally introductory and simpler than real-world applications you will confront when making day-to-day financial decisions and in more advanced courses.
Course2
Decision Criteria & Applications
4.7
37 ratings
This course is an introduction to decision-making criteria widely used in the real world and will help you understand the foundational principles of how most organizations make decisions. This course is part of a specialization titled “Foundational Finance for Strategic Decision-Making” and is helpful if you are interested in applying to an MBA degree program or learning the foundations of finance to be more effective in your career. This course is applied and problem-based with assignments that are intentionally introductory and simpler than real-world applications you will confront when making day-to-day financial decisions and in more advanced courses.
Course3
Bonds & Stocks
4.7
39 ratings
This course is an introduction to bonds and stocks and how they are valued using the principles of time value of money (TVM) covered in the two preceding courses in this specialization. You’ll learn how money is raised by business to support or expand their operations. Since individuals and households typically lend money to governments and businesses, this course will help you make personal financial decision-making. This course is part of a specialization titled “Foundational Finance for Strategic Decision Making” and is helpful if you are interested in applying to an MBA degree program or learning the foundations of finance to be more effective in your career. The pedagogy of the course is applied and problem-based with assignments covering every part of the course that each contain multiple problems that, by design, are introductory and simpler than the more real-world applications you will confront in the real world and more advanced courses. The assignments are all designed by the faculty lead and machine graded.
Course4
Risk, Return & Valuation
4.8
27 ratings
This course is an introduction to the notion of risk, its relation to return, and the valuation of projects and companies. This is a capstone course to help you value projects and companies by applying your understanding of time value of money (TVM) and cash flows developed in the first three courses of this specialization. This course is part of a specialization titled “Foundational Finance for Strategic Decision Making” and is helpful if you are interested in applying to an MBA degree program or learning the foundations of finance to be more effective in your career. The pedagogy of the course is applied and problem-based with assignments covering every part of the course that each contain multiple problems that, by design, are introductory and simpler than the more real-world applications you will confront in the real world and more advanced courses. The assignments are all designed by the faculty lead and machine graded.
Instructor
Gautam Kaul
Professor of Finance & Fred M. Taylor Professor of Business AdministrationRoss School of Business
About University of Michigan
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the refund policy?
Can I just enroll in a single course?
Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate, or you can audit it to view the course materials for free. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.
Is financial aid available?
Can I take the course for free?
Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?
This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.
How long does it take to complete the Specialization?
Approximately 16 - 20 weeks based on 3-5 hours of work per week
What background knowledge is necessary?
Exposure to algebra and a comfort level with numbers
Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?
If you do not have an exposure to finance, you will get the most out of the specialization if you take them in the order they are presented
Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?
You will qualify for verified certificates for each course, and the specialization, if you meet the requirements but, at this time, you will not receive university credit.
What will I be able to do upon completing the Specialization?
You will be able to value projects and companies, a key step to making smart decisions.
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.